Education: University of Saskatchewan, Bachelor of Arts / Science
University of Toronto, Doctor of Jurisprudence
Edwards has been battling the Alberta government's effort to raise royalties on oil and gas companies. The reason: He has more at stake in the Canadian oil sands than possibly any other individual. His company, Canadian Natural Resources, has sketched out plans to spend $25 billion to turn the gucky mud found in northern Alberta into barrels of crude oil. This media-shy lawyer-turned- financier also owns big stakes in Ensign Energy, Canada's second-biggest oil services company, and Penn West, one of Canada's biggest energy trusts. Also owns Lake Louise, Canada's famous ski resort, and a chunk of the Calgary Flames hockey team.